Market stalls to be ripped out and car park fees lowered in town centre overhaul

Stalls in Ashton Market Hall will soon be ripped out as part of a transformation of the site and the wider town centre.

Town hall bosses approved the use of £250,000 from a £3.812m grant allocated from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Works will include the reduction of entry points into the market hall as well as the removal of fixed stalls, the executive cabinet meeting on August 21 was told.

These will be replaced by ‘flexible spaces’ in addition to communal seating, planters, network points and power for small business pods and community groups.

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This project forms one part of the emerging public realm strategy for the town centre and the use of the £20m Levelling Up Fund for the overhaul of Market Square, the Tameside One council building heard.

A masterplan touting the future vision for Ashton town centre stated: “The Market Square will be the beating heart of the town; a modern market and public space enlivened by events, café culture and a vibrant evening economy.

“A friendly and welcoming place for future generations to enjoy. A destination where people can socialise and relax.”

Cabinet members were quick to heap praise on the plans for the market hall, with Coun Jack Naylor describing this as “a really exciting time for Ashton”.

Council leader Ged Cooney wanted to clarify that no one would be losing their stall during these works and that this was a plan that would ‘enhance’ their offer in the market. Coun Cooney went on to say how there are lots of young people using the big chains Greggs and McDonald’s in the town centre - and this change could lure them into the market instead.

Deputy leader Coun Bill